In a surprising revelation shared by former Bomet County Governor Isaac Ruto, the late Orange Democratic Party (ODM) leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga once came close to giving up his bid for the presidency. The incident, which occurred in the lead-up to the 2017 General Election, offers a rare glimpse into the intense behind-the-scenes negotiations that shaped the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition.
Speaking in a video that has since resurfaced online, Isaac Ruto recounted the tense moments that unfolded just a day before NASA’s official declaration of its presidential candidate at Uhuru Park, Nairobi. The coalition, which brought together Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangula, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Isaac Ruto, was struggling to settle on a flag bearer acceptable to all parties.
According to Ruto, the discussions had reached a deadlock, with each principal holding firm to their ambitions. In the midst of the stalemate, Raila Odinga—known for his long political career and history of coalition-building—suggested that perhaps it was time for a fresh face to lead the opposition charge.
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“Raila said, since we had not agreed on who should carry the NASA ticket, I should take the mantle as a neutral candidate,” Isaac Ruto revealed. “He was serious about it. The team even left the meeting planning to announce me as the NASA flag bearer the following day.”
However, the former Bomet governor said he was overwhelmed by the weight of the offer and decided to turn it down. “In the morning, I told them not to announce me. I said if they announced me, I would reject it publicly and hand it back to Raila Odinga,” he said.
Ruto explained that his decision was informed by his respect for Raila’s long struggle for democracy and leadership in Kenya’s opposition politics. “I felt Raila had fought too long and too hard for change in this country. It didn’t seem right for me to take that opportunity from him,” he stated.
Eventually, the coalition agreed that Raila Odinga would lead NASA as its presidential candidate, with Kalonzo Musyoka as his running mate. The alliance went on to face President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto in a fiercely contested election that was later nullified by the Supreme Court, leading to a repeat poll.
The revelation by Isaac Ruto sheds light on the humility and political maturity that characterized Raila Odinga’s leadership, even in moments of deep political tension. It also highlights the complex balancing act required in coalition politics, where personal ambition must often give way to collective strategy.
Years later, the story stands as a testament to Raila Odinga’s willingness to put the movement above himself—a quality that endeared him to supporters and cemented his legacy as one of Kenya’s most selfless political figures.
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